The Other Side: Films of Ferndale Reads
(Crystal A. Proxmire, 3/2/2011)
The month of March is full of stories as The Ferndale Public Library presents “Ferndale Reads,” a celebration focusing on John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things.
This dream-like book is the focus of many festivities, including a Monday night film series dedicated to some of our culture’s most inspiring whimsical movies. Each Monday from 7-9 pm visitors will be swept away with stories nearly as dark and enchanting as Connolly’s featured work. The films have been chosen for their story-telling properties and, hopefully, their ability to inspire the child inside us all to touch base with our own imaginations – and maybe even pick up a book!
On March 7, the Library presents The Secret Garden, a 1993 film based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The story is of a strong-willed English orphan named Mary who moves to her oppressive uncle’s mansion. The girl finds a key to a secret garden, and tends it until it brings new life to the estate. This movie is rated G.
On March 14, there will be a showing of Coraline. This 2008 film takes a young girl into an alternative universe through a door in the family home. The world is like hers, only better. But when her “other” mother doesn’t want her to return to reality, the heroine must summon her courage to go home and save her family. This film is rated PG.
On March 21, Pan’s Labyrinth will tap into the dreams of viewers with a creepy fairy tale produced in 2008. In Pan’s Labyrinth, 10-year-old Ofelia feels alone until she explores decaying labyrinth guarded by the mysterious Pan, an ancient satyr who claims to know her destiny. If she wishes to return to her real father, Ofelia must complete three terrifying tasks in this fairy tale for grown-ups. This one is rated R.
On March 28, the Library will be full of readers old and new, singing along with the 1939 classic fairy tale The Wizard of Oz.
“What I think links these books and movies – The Book of Lost Things, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Secret Garden, is that the children escape into dream and fantasy worlds to cope with trauma, loss and pain – the death of a parent, becoming an orphan, abuse,” said former Library Board President Ann Warner. ” Unlike in The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy’s fantasy world basically occurs because she gets banged on the head during a hurricane. They are all good stories but I don’t see them as “fun” books and movies in the traditional sense.”
Librarian Darlene Hellenberg said “I like all the films. They all share important themes with The Book of Lost Things. In the book the main character has to travel through a magical kingdom to find his way home again. Just as Dorothy has to follow the yellow brick road and Mary has to find the key to the secret garden. All the movies are a little mysterious and full of the unknown just like the book.”
The Film Series is only a small part of the Ferndale Reads celebration. There will also be comedy performances at Go Comedy! on the 10, 17, 24 and 31st, all at 8pm.
On March 3 the month will kick off with a Crooked Man’s Open Mic from 3-6pm at the Library. On March 19 there will be story tellers from 3:30-4:30pm.
On March 29 the author himself will come to Ferndale for a special book signing presentation at 7pm.
And throughout the city book discussions will be held. On March 12 it will be at AJ’s Café, 1pm. On March 15 it will be at Treat Dreams, 7pm. On March 17 it will be at the Library, 12:30pm. On March 24 it will be The Book Party at the Emory, at 7pm. And on March 29 the Friends of the Ferndale Library will have their at the Library at 8pm.
The Book of Lost Things is available for free at the Ferndale Public Library. The Film Series and other events (besides the shows at Go Comedy!) are also free.
The Ferndale Public Library is located at 222 E. 9 Mile Road. For more information on Ferndale Reads, or any of their other events/services, please check out their website at http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us.
For more stories about the Library, check out The Ferndale 115 News Library Section at https://oaklandcounty115.com/category/library-news.